HERE we go again. We really did not compete in the first half against Halifax at all.

I can't put my finger on why we are getting off to such slow starts but it is very frustrating.

The way we played in the second-half makes it worse really because it shows what we can do when we put our minds to it.

We are running out of chances to guarantee a top five place and we have got to beat Castleford this weekend.

It would be nice if my old club, the Rhinos, could do us a favour by defeating Sheffield Eagles tomorrow night but, even if they don't, it is still in our own hands, which is good.

It was a shame for all the fans that the new terracing at The Shay Stadium was not open in time for the game.

It meant that our fans had to queue for tickets in the rain, and then they had to watch most of the second-half in the rain.

It wasn't a good night for them but as always they turned up in numbers and gave us good support.

I can promise that we will not let them down.

The new Halifax ground will be very impressive when it is completed.

It will be a good ground on three sides and I understand that eventually they will rebuild the main stand and get rid of the old speedway track. It should be very good.

Just before we leave the Halifax game behind, it was good to see my old mate Gary Mercer again.

I kept reminding him that he should give me another mention in his column and, apart from a few 'incidents' he didn't manage to wind me up like he usually does.

I understand that he has just moved to Halifax now and I am pleased about that as I have just moved to Bramhope and Adel, where he used to live, is too close for comfort. Only kidding Ming!

I went to Elland Road on Monday and I was delighted with the victory over Blackburn Rovers.

Leeds seem to have the Indian sign over Rovers at the moment and 'the man' Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink, opened his account for the season with a nifty one-two.

I feel it could be a good season for us and I am looking forward to the European campaign.

According to the press, the Bulls are thinking of signing another old friend of mine, Harvey Howard.

Harvey has been playing in Australia and the season there has now finished, so he could be available.

I don't know about the rumours but he would be a good signing for us.

He is very strong and would certainly beef up our pack.

We always got on well at Leeds and it would be nice to pack down next to him again.

The Castleford game on Bank Holiday Monday has a Western theme.

As part of the promotion, the Bulls held a photoshoot and Nathan McAvoy and Neil Harmon, together with Adrian Vowles and Andrew Schick, were dressed as cowboys and riding horses.

I understand Neil really played the part well.

That doesn't surprise me as he is definitely a cowboy in real life.

Serious it will be a great day on Monday, with the Academy game to follow our match.

Make sure you come along but if you do, watch out for the arrows.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.